“Most (competitors) have had major refreshes in the last 18 months or so,” Scott Shirley, chief marketing manager, says during a recent media backgrounder here. “We’re quite confident this new Rogue puts us at the head of the class. And the good news there is we’ll stay there for the foreseeable future, because there are no other significant changes coming.”

The Rogue ranks fifth in the Middle CUV segment, as defined by WardsAuto, behind the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape, Toyota RAV4 and Chevrolet Equinox. The segment was up 10.2% to 2,201,857 deliveries last year, and through October it has increased 16.4%.

Shirley says the segment should continue to grow, but likely not at the torrid pace of the past five years.

“It will start to plateau a bit, but it’s been one of the fastest-growing segments the past few years,” he says.

He expects the Rogue to attract more men, with buyers split more evenly than for the outgoing model, which skewed toward women.

Shirley says the Rogue has the second-highest loyalty of the entire Nissan lineup behind the Altima sedan. Those expected returning customers are key to driving up the CUV’s segment share.

Nissan was able to offer a number of upgrades in the new Rogue by using the automaker’s Common Module Family architecture, which allows it to leverage economies of scale and improve quality by sharing modules with other vehicles.

Upgrades include an optional third row that allows the Rogue to seat seven passengers.

The CUV also gets a standard “Divide-N-Hide” cargo system offering 18 different configurations, including out-of-sight storage areas and a lower deck for taller items.

“The compact-CUV segment is all about versatility and functionality,” Shirley says. “Consumers are coming in (to the segment) from minivans, old frame-based utilities and sedans for the versatility and functionality.”

The redesigned Rogue’s exterior features short front and rear overhangs, giving it what Nissan calls a sporty and confident appearance.

The coefficient of drag has been reduced 10% vs. the outgoing model to 0.33 cd by optimizing the A-pillar and outside mirror shapes, which also helps reduce wind noise, Nissan says.

The new Rogue’s interior employs more soft-touch materials and offers more room, including 70.0 cu.-ft. (1.9 cu.-m) of cargo space with the rear seats folded down.

Another new addition is “Quick Comfort” heated seats, which rapidly warm body parts most sensitive to heat, such as the thighs and hips.

The ’14 Rogue is powered by a 2.5L 4-cyl. engine producing 170 hp and 175 lb.-ft. (237 Nm) of torque, mated to a new-generation Xtronic CVT, which Nissan says is 10% more efficient than the previous transmission. The new Rogue has an EPA rating of 26/33 mpg (9.0-7.1 L/100 km) city/highway for front-wheel-drive models and 25/32 mpg (9.4-7.3 L/100 km) for all-wheel-drive versions.

Shirley says despite all the upgrades, Nissan wanted to keep the price below most of its competitors. The new Rogue starts at $22,490 for FWD models and $23,840 for AWD vehicles. Prices don’t include an $850 destination and delivery charge.

Most of the marketing dollars for the new Rogue will be directed toward popular primetime network TV shows, as well as sporting events, including college and pro football games.

Although the Rogue buyers skew slightly more female, football is still a good marketing choice, Shirley says.

“It’s the biggest audience you can reach, male or female,” he says. “So there is a balance with sports.”

The Rogue spots also will be shown before feature films at movie theaters and a social-media campaign will be rolled out at a later date, Shirley says, though it won’t play a major part in marketing efforts.

“Social media is good for targeting consumers, but this is such a big segment,” he says.

The vehicles will be tested on suburban roads in Adelaide, the state capital, at the same time the South Australian government hosts an international conference to discuss driverless-vehicle technology and regulation....More

Engineers and designers from ZF and the former TRW have been sharing notes, exchanging ideas and identifying best practices, and some of the resulting technologies will be ready for market in the near future....More

Ann Arborâ€™s Mcity test track includes four traffic lights, an underpass, metal bridge deck, gravel roadways and parking spaces that are angled, perpendicular and parallel. Efforts are under way to open a similar but larger facility nearby in Ypsilanti....More

Located on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor, Mcity is a $10 million 32-acre (13-ha) test track with roundabouts, bike lanes, a tree canopy and 4-way intersections to simulate small-town traffic situations.

I-GAMEâ€™s focus is on cooperative solutions and the scenarios for next yearâ€™s competition during Dutch Technology Week have been selected to highlight situations where cooperation is superior to autonomy....More

Similar to the LS9 small-block V-8, GM integrates the intercooler of the LF3 V-6 inside the V of the engine instead of mounting it remotely. That reduces compressed-air travel and shaves turbo lag to minimal levels....More